Prefers medium-rich, loam soil. Lime if pH is low. Not as hardy as rye. Tolerates drought.

Buckwheat

N

2 1/2

springsummer

summerfall

Mellows soil; rich in potassium

Must leave part of garden in cover crop during season. Grows quickly. Not hardy.

CrimsonClover

L

1/3

springfall

fallspring

Fixes 100-150 lbs. N/ac./yr.

Not reliably hardy. Sow before mid-Sept. in Piedmont and mountains. Not drought tolerant. Lime if pH is low. White clover is a bit hardier.

Fava beans

L

plant 8” apart

early springlate summer

early summerfall

Some types fix 70-100 lbs. N/ac./yr in as little as 6 weeks. Use small seeded rather than large seeded table types.

Will grow on many soil types. Medium drought tolerance. Likes cool growing weather. Good for mountain areas. If planted in early spring can grow late vegetables. Inoculate with same bacteria as hairy vetch.

Oats

N

4

springfall

summerspring

Adds organic matter; improves soil aggregation.

Needs adequate manganese. Not hardy; tolerates low pH

Rye, winter

N

3 1/2

fall

spring

Adds organic matter; improves soil aggregation.

Very hardy. Can plant until late October.

Vetch, hairy

L

2 1/2

early fall

spring

Fixes 80-100 lbs. N/ac./yr.

Inoculate; slow to establish. Fairly hardy. Till under before it seeds; can become a weed.

Wheat, winter

N

4

fall

spring

Adds organic matter; improves soil aggregation.

Prefers medium-rich, loam soil. Lime if pH is low. Not as hardy as rye. Tolerates drought.